March 16, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Sun Devil bats were on full display on Friday night, as they slugged their way past the Maine Black Bears 12-3 in the opening game of a four-game series at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. 2,607 fans saw ASU clock two monster home runs to up their record to 16-7.
Mike Leake made his first career start, pitching on a predetermined pitch limit. He went two innings and did not allow a hit, striking out four to pick up the win (5-1). Joe Hatasaki and Ted Aust also threw, with Aust lasting five innings and allowing only two hits while striking out three.
CJ Retherford put the Devils in front early, knocking in two runs with a single to center in the second. That scored Kiel Roling, who had reached on an error, and Matt Spencer, who had doubled off the wall in right. Brett Wallace pushed it to 3-0 with a sac fly that scored Andrew Romine. Ike Davis made it 6-0 when he deposited a three-run shot onto Rural Road. That chased Black Bears starter Mike Powers after just 1.2 innings.
Wallace brought home another run in the third on a sac fly that made it 7-1. After Maine closed the gap to 7-3, Joe Persichina plated a run with his RBI single up the middle in the fifth. Persichina knocked another run home in the seventh on what should have been a sac fly to right field, but the rightfielder could not hold on to the ball, allowing Persichina to reach safely. He would come around to score on the very next pitch, as Brett Wallace tomahawked a ball to right-centerfield for a three-run homer and a 12-3 Sun Devil lead.
That would be enough for Aust and ASU, as they shut out the Black Bears over the final five innings.
Wallace went 2-3 with five runs batted in, one of four Sun Devils with multiple RBI.
The Devils and Black Bears will continue their four-game series tomorrow afternoon with a St. Patrick's Day doubleheader. Game one will begin at 1 p.m., with game two scheduled to start 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The Devils will wear green hats and socks in honor of St. Patrick's Day.